"He likes the stars," Janeway observed, gazing over at the sofa.

Chakotay knelt against the cushions, his back to her, his chin propped against his hand. It was apparent that he was staring at the stars.

Torres moved in the chair next to the captain's. Janeway could tell that the engineer was uncomfortable. She knew Torres cared for Chakotay, but in her eyes, he'd always been strong and decisive, very self-assured. Janeway knew it was difficult to see him like this. But it was important that Torres visit; important to them both. Janeway was hoping that familiar voices would help reach him.

Despite her uncertainty, Torres sensed her role in Chakotay's recovery. And she wished that he was able to join in their conversation. But she knew it would take time.

"He's always been a star gazer," she agreed. "We never really had much time when we were with the Maquis. Staring at stars was a luxury we couldn't afford. But I remember once, we were on his home planet, and we sat outside one evening, and he told me all about the constellations, and the stories and legends his people attached to them." Torres sighed. "You know, I always envied him his belief in those legends. I mean, the stars are just stars to me, but to him..."

Janeway smiled. "I know what you mean. Everything is so... much more to him."

Torres turned a hard gaze on the captain. "It's not now," she said, her voice bitter.

Janeway shook her head quickly and reached out and touched the younger woman's arm. "Oh, no, I think you're wrong, B'Elanna. I think that's why the stars still hold an interest for him. It's like what the Doctor said. He's in there, along with everything that he holds important. We just have to help him find his way out."

Chakotay shifted on the sofa, sinking down into a sitting position, his head resting on the cushions. Janeway saw his shoulders rise and fall in what she suspected was a yawn.

Torres noticed as well. "Star gazing always makes him tired," she laughed softly. "I think it's his Native American heritage. Something about... sleeping out under the stars."

Janeway nodded. "We slept under the stars the first few nights we were on New Earth. I remember thinking that he was right at home, totally at ease in his surroundings."

Torres looked over at the captain, their eyes catching. "He probably felt that way."

Janeway shrugged, slightly nervous under the woman's gaze. "Maybe so. But, he won't feel at ease if he falls asleep on the sofa. And besides, that's supposed to be my bed."

Torres sat up straighter, as if called to attention. "Do you need any help putting him to bed?"

Janeway smiled at her offer, but shook her head. "No, I don't think so. The Doctor feels that it's important that we establish some routines on our own." She noticed the look in Torres' eyes. "But thanks, B'Elanna. I know this isn't easy for you. For any of us."

Torres drew in a deep breath and stood. "Don't worry about me, Captain. I care about him, but I agree that after the time you spent together, you're the best person to be taking care of him now."

Janeway stood also, reaching out and taking hold of Torres' hand. "Thank you. Yours is a vote of confidence that I needed to hear."

Torres squeezed the captain's hand and let go. She took a step toward the sofa, leaned over and touched Chakotay's shoulder. "Good night, Chakotay. Sleep well." She drew her hand away, her fingers lingering over the back of his neck, wanting to touch him again. But she thought better of it and stepped away.

"We'll see you tomorrow," Janeway said, walking with her to the door.

Torres nodded and then looked up from the floor. "He likes hot chocolate."

Janeway tilted her head.

Torres blushed slightly. "Before he goes to bed. Sometimes...he likes hot chocolate." And then she smiled. "But I guess...you probably know that."

Janeway remembered their evenings on New Earth, and she grinned. "I did know that. But thanks for reminding me."

~vVv~

He liked hot drinks. Coffee, tea, chocolate. A cup had always been within reaching distance as he working on a project. And chocolate had been a favorite. Especially at night. Janeway remembered the slightly embarrassed look on his face as he'd explained his affinity for the beverage. He said it made him sleepy and warm, and it reminded him of his childhood.

As she turned away from the door, she was glad that Torres had reminded her of the hot chocolate. It was something she could add to the bedtime routine. A routine that had probably needed to have begun half an hour ago. She walked back over to the sitting area and sat down on the coffee table close to the sofa.

"Chakotay." She spoke his name softly and waited for him to look at her.

He didn't. And she tried again.

"Chakotay."

This time he turned and looked over his shoulder.

"It's time for bed," she said, laying a hand on his arm.

He blinked at her, and then rubbed a fist over his eyes.

"You're tired." She smiled. "So am I. And you're sitting on my bed."

As if understanding her words, he looked down at the sofa, then back up at her.

"You have a bed in the next room. Let's go check it out."

She stood up and gently pulled on his arm. He stood as well. Taking hold of his hand, she led him the bedroom. They'd been here earlier in the evening, passing through on their way to the bathroom. But this time, she led him over to the bed, and he sat down on the edge of it.

Janeway had thought about giving him a bath, but had postponed that idea until tomorrow. He'd already had a long day, and she knew he was tired. She left him sitting on the bed, went over to his dresser, and found a pair of pajamas in the top drawer. She went back to him and quickly helped him change into them. He could start working on dressing tomorrow as well. There was no need to throw too much at him in one day.

As she slipped one shirt off and the other on, she realized that she was getting used to this. And so was he. She only had to touch his arm or leg, and he would move them in the appropriate manner, as if his body remembered how to get dressed. And that was a good sign; it would make things a lot easier when she expected him to dress himself.

When he was in his pajamas, she walked him into the bathroom and helped him brush his teeth; then she stood at the door while he used the facilities. The Doctor had been correct about his capabilities. Instinctively, he knew what to do, and was even somewhat modest, not making a move unless her back was turned to him. She wondered how he would react to taking a bath, and realized that he might only need a minimum of assistance with that as well. A few moments later, she heard the water running as he washed his hands, and then he followed her back to the bed.

She pulled back the blankets and he climbed underneath them, settling his head on the pillow with a yawn. His eyes were already drooping, and she decided that hot chocolate would have to wait until tomorrow night. There was only so much they could do in one day.

She brushed her hand over his forehead, smoothing his hair back from his tattoo. She'd grown so used to it that sometimes she didn't even notice the dark lines. They were so much a part of him.

"Goodnight, Chakotay," she whispered, reaching over and touching a panel on the bedside table, lowering the lights manually.

She heard a strangled gasp and felt his hand grab hold of hers. Immediately, she raised the lights. His eyes were wide, staring at her fearfully.

"Shh," she soothed, touching his forehead again. "It's all right."

He clutched her hand tightly, pulling it close to his chest. She could feel the fast beating of his heart through his pajama shirt. The darkness frightened him. And she realized that for the past three days he'd been in Sickbay, and the Doctor had probably not lowered the lights during that time.

"We can keep the lights on. It's all right," she reassured him. "And I'll sit right here while you fall asleep. I promise. I won't go anywhere."

He stared at her for several moments, and then his eyes closed. But he held her hand for a long time before he finally fell asleep.

~vVv~

They were stars. It was one of the things he knew. And he liked looking at them.

Behind him, they talked. He didn't understand, but the sound of their voices was nice.

He yawned and laid his head on the back of the sofa, the cushions soft against his cheek. And then someone touched him. And that was all right. She spoke to him, and then she was gone.

Chakotay.

Chakotay.

She called him that.

Another touch, a hand on his arm.

He looked at her. And then rubbed his eyes.

She smiled. And then she pulled on his arm, and he followed her into the next room.

She changed his clothes again. The new ones were even softer.

She took him to the little room, and they brushed his teeth. He used the bathroom, and he remembered to wash his hands. There were some things he remembered, and he knew how to do them. And other things... he couldn'tremember, and she helped him.

He got under the covers. And she touched his face. Her fingers were warm.

And then it was dark. And he was frightened. He grabbed her. And there was light. He could see her. She touched his face again. He was all right. And he stared at her and then closed his eyes. He held on to her hand. He didn't want to let go.

~vVv~

He was sleeping peacefully, and Janeway was relieved. She'd expected nightmares, and although they were still a possibility, he was all right for now.

She went back into the next room and located the suitcase that she'd brought earlier when she'd come to pick up his clothes. Quickly, she changed into a nightgown and a robe, and then spread sheets and blankets over the sofa, turning it into something that almost resembled a bed. She just hoped it was comfortable.

Although she knew she should get some sleep while she could, she wasn't actually tired yet, and she found herself sitting at Chakotay's desk, logging onto the computer, and reviewing Tuvok's reports for the day. She'd been away from the bridge for six hours, and it felt like six days. She wondered what it would feel like when it actually had been six days. She remembered what it had been like on New Earth. But this was different. She was still on the ship, but not in charge. At least, not directly. She took some time to compose a list of reminders for Tuvok, and that made her feel a little bit more in control. Then she completed her personal log. And then she began a new log, one that would outline her work with Chakotay from day to day. The Doctor had asked her to keep one.

She wasn't sure how many hours had gone by since she'd sat down at the desk, but she looked up when she heard a noise. Chakotay stood in the doorway to his bedroom. He was staring at her.

"Hello, Chakotay. I thought you were sleeping." She spoke quietly, and slowly got up from the desk. She took a step toward him, and she could see him pull back slightly.

"It's all right." She came closer and reached her hand out to him. "Let's go back to bed." This time, he didn't pull away, but allowed her to take hold of his arm.

He dropped his gaze from her face, and she felt the muscles in his arm tighten. His feet pushed into the carpeted deck, and then he tried to twist away from her.

She held on to him and led him back into the bedroom. It was brighter there for she'd left the lights on in case he'd awakened. As they neared the bed, he stopped, pulling his arm away.

"Chakotay, it's time to sleep," she said, reaching down and pulling the blankets back.

He hesitated, as though he were afraid of getting into the bed, but then he did. She tucked the blankets around his shoulders and then sat with him while he fell asleep.

~vVv~

He didn't know she was watching him, and so she lay very still on the sofa, only her eyes shifting slightly. He sat on the floor on the opposite side of the coffee table, his hands moving the objects on top of it from one end to the other. It was almost like a game that he was playing, only Janeway couldn't discern the rules. But Chakotay could. He had a system. First, he moved the plant, and then the stone with the carving on it. And then, the book. And then he moved the book back to its original place, followed by the stone and then the plant. The pattern was repeated several times during the next five minutes, and if there were any meaning to it, Janeway was unaware. But it was a good sign. It meant that a portion of his mind was thinking in an orderly fashion. And that would be helpful as he began to relearn tasks.

Not wanting to startle him by suddenly speaking out loud, Janeway yawned and stretched her arms above her head; she rolled over on the sofa and pretended to be waking up. Chakotay's movement stopped abruptly, his hands frozen over the table, his eyes transfixed on her.

She propped herself up on one elbow. "Good morning, Chakotay." She smiled.

And he dropped his hands to his lap and looked away from her.

"I didn't hear you get out of bed," she said as she sat up, brushing her hair back from her face. She stood, picked up her robe from the end of the sofa and slipped into it. Taking some civilian clothes from her suitcase, she headed toward the bedroom. "I'll be right back."

She went through to the bathroom and got dressed quickly, aware that he was alone in the next room. But then, she wasn't sure how long he'd been alone while she'd been sleeping. Despite his condition, she couldn't watch him all the time. She would have to place some trust in him from the very beginning.

When she was finished, she went back into the living area. Chakotay was right where she'd left him, and she could see that the table items had been moved several times in her absence.

He stared up at her, and she knew that he was aware that she'd changed her clothes for he hesitantly ran his hand over his own pajama shirt.

"Come in the bedroom and we'll get you some other clothes," she suggested, and was pleased when he nodded his head in agreement. He'd understood.

He pushed himself up from the floor and followed her into the other room.

"All right," she announced as she went over to the dresser and opened several drawers, "you need a shirt." She pulled out a blue striped one and held it up so that he could see it. "And trousers." She held up a pair of black ones. "And undershorts." She held them up. "And socks." She held them up as well, and then draped them all over her arm and walked over to the bed. She laid the clothing out on top of it.

Chakotay moved from where he was standing next to the door and edged over to the bed. She could see a glint of curiosity in his eyes. This was the first time she'd named all these pieces of clothing.

She turned to him. "Now, first you need to take off that pajama shirt." She reached out and touched his sleeve.

He sat down on the side of the bed and instinctively raised his arms.

She shook her head. "No. You take it off, Chakotay." She took hold of his hands and closed his fingers around the hem of the shirt. "Pull it up over your head," she instructed.

He didn't move.

"Chakotay, pull up the shirt." She pretended to be taking off her own shirt, simply making the movements with her hands.

Still, he didn't move. He just stared at her, a confused expression on his face.

She made the movement with her arms again. "Pull the shirt up," she repeated.

Several seconds passed, and still he made no attempt.

Janeway sighed and lowered her head, rubbing a hand across the back of her neck. She wasn't sure what to do. If she did it for him, he would never learn. On the other hand, if she didn't help, he'd be wearing a pair of pajamas for the rest of his life.

And then his movement caught her eye, much like it had yesterday when he'd fed himself. She looked up at him. Slowly and awkwardly, he was trying to pull the shirt up over his head.

"That's right," she breathed as the shirt covered his face.

With one more tug, he managed to pull it off, allowing it to fall on the bed beside him.

"Very good." She smiled and noticed a look of relief cross his features. She drew in a deep breath. "Now... take off your pants."

The next minutes were long and difficult. This was a situation in which she'd never imagined she would find herself. And it was embarrassing. For them both. Just as he preferred she turn her back while he was in the bathroom, when it came time for him to change his underwear, he hesitated. He'd already managed to remove the pajama pants, and he held the other shorts in his hand. Sensing his hesitancy, Janeway moved back from him.

"I think you can finish this on your own," she encouraged him. "Take off your shorts, and put these on." She indicated the pair he held in his hand. "And then put on these trousers and this shirt."

She waited for a moment, studying his face, hoping for a sign of understanding. There was none. Just a look of discomfort. She backed away from him toward the door. "I'll be in the next room. I'll check on you in a few minutes."

She left and went and sat down on the sofa. This was damn awkward, she thought. Even after their months on the planet together. There had been times when they'd seen each other wrapped in a towel before or after a bath, but...this was different. And she hoped he could figure it out on his own, because if he couldn't, she was going to insist that Paris or Tuvok come and assist.

~vVv~

She left him. And he relaxed.

Usually, he felt better when she was here. But not now. He was cold, and he wanted to put his clothes on, but he didn'twant her help anymore. Somehow, he knew this was something he had to do himself.

He stared down at the clothing in his hand. She called them shorts. And he knew how to put them on. The shorts he was wearing now came off just like the pants, and then he would put on the new shorts and the trousers and the shirt.

He would show her that he knew how to do it himself.

And then she would smile at him again.

And he liked it when she smiled.

Her name was Kathryn. He remembered that now.

And that made him smile.

~vVv~

Five minutes passed and Janeway continued to stare at the open door to the bedroom. She was waiting for him to come out. And then she remembered that she had promised to go back in and check on him. She pressed her hands to her knees and pushed herself to her feet. No time like the present, Katie. It wasn't like her to avoid challenges.

She stopped in the doorway and looked inside. A feeling of relief washed over her. Chakotay stood at the end of the bed. He was dressed in the clothing she'd left for him. She went further into the room. On closer inspection, she saw that he was just barely dressed, but it was an accomplishment all the same. He held his hand at his waist, and she could see that he was holding the trousers up to keep them from falling. His shirt wasn't buttoned, and it hung unevenly around his neck. The socks had been forgotten.

"Good work, Chakotay," she assured him, stepping closer and taking his hand away from his waist.

The trousers needed fastening, and she did that for him. She also buttoned his shirt and straightened it. Then she ran her fingers through his hair, combing it back from his forehead. He looked down at the floor while she helped him.

"I couldn't have done better myself," she said.

And he looked up. And she smiled.

For a second, a grin spread across his face, and then he looked down again, as if he were shy. Janeway patted his shoulder. "Let's go eat breakfast," she suggested.

He followed her into the living area and over to the table. She called up bowls of oatmeal and glasses of orange juice. Then she sat down beside him and they ate, his every spoonful a mirror image of hers. She sighed. It gave a new meaning to being in command.

~vVv~